As 2024 comes to an end, we celebrate the strides we’ve made in sustainability this year. From community outreach and collaboration to waste management and recycling improvements, Yakima Chief Hops (YCH) has remained committed to “walking the walk” in our sustainability journey.

Here are a few achievements we’re proud of this year:

Recycling: YCH diverted 65,000 lbs. (about 29.5 metric tons) of mylar foils - saving 12,678 kg of CO2 emissions, equivalent to taking 2.7 cars off the road for a year!

Water: Globally, YCH operations (warehouses, production facilities, offices) reduced water consumption by 10% - enough to fill 4 Olympic-sized swimming pools or brew 2.4 million pints of beer. Here’s to making every drop count!

Zevero: You can’t manage what you don’t measure. That’s why YCH has partnered with Zevero to quantify the full scope of our carbon footprint, with the guidance of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (the gold standard of emissions calculation).

Waste: YCH responsibly diverted 379,880 lbs. of hops (about 172 metric tons) from landfills. That’s the weight equivalent of 7 semi-trucks! After partnering with Natural Selections Composting, we were able to transform unusable hops into organic matter, helping replenish the nutrient cycle in the hop fields and closing the sustainability loop.

Advocacy: This year, YCH submitted 10 impactful letters of support advocating for local and federal policies to protect the Pacific Northwest’s pristine waters. These efforts support cleaner rivers, healthier ecosystems, and a thriving region for farming, recreation, and enjoying nature’s beauty.

Volunteer Hours: At YCH, employees are provided with paid time for volunteer work. As of November, employees have given nearly 1,000 hours to serve their communities - time well spent making a difference!

Community Blends: In 2024, brewers purchased an impressive 120,000 lbs. (54,400 kg) of Community Blends! Through our Community Blend program, we donate to non-profit organizations across the globe, supporting women, non-binary individuals, Veterans, and community initiatives - making a meaningful impact with every pound sold.

Collaborations: YCH took part in several impactful collaborations this year – including our largest collaboration yet: Earth to Beer. This project brought together breweries, ingredient suppliers, non-profit organizations, and community groups across more than 35 states, challenging breweries to create beer that’s better for the planet.

Impact Stories: We published 10 impact-driven blog posts in 2024, sharing stories that inspire change. Together, we’re reshaping the brewing industry.

Yakima Chief Hops takes great pride in operating our business responsibly, emphasizing a focus on long-term success and the conviction that constructing value for both local communities and the planet is every bit as crucial as shareholder value. We work tirelessly to reduce our carbon footprint, lessen dependence on natural resources, and eliminate waste while empowering our communities along the way. We recognize that industry collaboration is the pivotal force for driving meaningful change and hope to inspire others to join us in creating a sustainable future.